Lack of real help when diagnosed with type 1?

[aaronjunited]

Does anyone feel like they haven't had the help they needed from the start? I have been diagnosed 7 years soon and i remember when i was first told in the hospital, I was alone and they handed me a massive bunch of leaflets and sent you home once you showed them you could inject yourself.

I have struggled since then to control my diabetes and I am always wanting to start fresh and look after myself properly. I have always felt the diabetes team (which I haven't seen in years) never listened to a word I said in regards to problems with my progress in the first year or two. Trouble is I have mental health problems since before I was diagnosed with type 1, so no one has truly understood me not even the mental health team as they are non existent now too.

I have now came off prescribed drugs due to the side effects and medicate successfully with cannabis but that is another story in itself. I am thinking about dedicating the rest of my life to researching and educating via a blog on the problems us diabetics face, especially those who have suffered and/or continue to suffer with any mental illness before being diagnosed with type 1.

 

[db89]

The first couple of days after being released from hospital after diagnosis (similar to you I was allowed to go once I'd shown them I could test and inject) I likened it to feeling like being given a car to drive with no sense of clutch control.

For me it was a case of taking it all in and getting used to it. I haven't needed to rely on my nurse, consultant etc. too often so far but I know I can call if I need to ask something. Places like this site and the wealth of information you can get from the Internet and books have helped me get my head around a lot of it.

I'm not far enough in to say much more than that yet but I'm sure there is plenty to come still and lots to learn.

 

[phdiabetic]

I did not get sent to hospital when I was diagnosed, I did see a diabetes educator a few days after and she was very helpful! She helped me with injection technique (and gave me shorter needles, I was initially told to use longer ones but am not very fat so that was unnecessary), helped with finger pricks (gave me a new meter and showed me how to work it), reviewed the specialist's instructions with me and answered all the questions I asked. I had some follow up appointments and all the educators I saw were sympathetic and helpful.